But, What I Really Want...
Nov 15 '00
Buying a car was the last thing I really wanted to be doing right then. But, sometimes we cannot make the decision when. Not when you happen to need something more than you want it. However, you can decide what, from where, and how much. In fact, you should decide those whats, wheres, and hows, since it will be YOU paying the bills, in the end. So, what do you want; where will you purchase it from; and how much are you willing to pay for it? Other "secondary" concerns can be considered later (what color, what non-standard features you will add, cloth or leather seats, etc.), and will most likely be dictated chiefly by the "how"s factor in this buying formula, anyway.
REALIZING THE NEED/DESIRE or Why In The World Should I Get A Car?
My car was beginning to cost me an average of $1500 per year to maintain. During the previous 18 months, I had invested approximately $2300 in repairs into a twelve-year-old car. It was really time I moved on.
Why had I held onto one car for so long, anyway? First, almost nine years to the date, November 18 (my birthday), my best friend proposed we go into business together. The business was in film and we would need every cent we could scrape up as start up capital in a venture located in our part of the country. We had no prior knowledge in film production; we were females without a lot of liquid-able assets; and our geographic location was better known for cattle, oil and the Cowboys than for the movie industry. Like Spike Lee and Robert Townsend before us, we set out to change the world of film, expensing our projects with our own money, with no loans, nor any financial supporters.
Eight years later, I was forced to seek a larger living/working space for my thirteen-year-old son and myself. We had outgrown our small condo, so it was necessary to purchase either a larger condo, townhouse, or a house. Replacing our eleven-year-old car was impossible at the exact same time that we were in the market for a new home.
Finally, I could put off buying a new car no longer. A week ago this past Friday morning, I went out with the intent of carrying my son to school as always. Only, my reliable old friend refused to start. I called my auto service for a tow, and the garage to inform them I would be bringing my car in for service. I knew this would be the last time I'd be doing so. I had no other alternative.
The garage called to inform me they could find nothing to cause the car not to start. They believed--since it had started for them without hesitation--it was because of foul weather. The weather had been damp, but not yet cold. Either I would buy before I had to buy or wait until the faithful old set of wheels "gave up the ghost" and I would no longer have even a slight advantage. If it were to just "stop" running, I would not be able to take the time I needed to "shop" for my preference. Then, I'd have to quickly make a purchase with which I might not be pleased. The decision was made. I needed to purchase a new car.
THE FORMULA or Where The Heck Should I Start?
My plan had been to consider purchasing a new car next October, when dealerships were offering their annual end-of-year stock reduction promos. This thought in mind, I'd begun noticing and appraising models driving the streets along side me every day. What did I like about this one, or that one? What make of vehicle is that? Maybe I should look at purchasing a SUV. Wonder how many miles to the gallon that gets?
I was asking myself questions which would generate increased buying interest, preparing myself to begin the "car shopping phase" of actually becoming the buyer. Having purchased my own vehicles all my life, most of this process would be "old hat" for me. However, like any new car buyer, the process would have to proceed in an orderly progression, prior purchaser or not.
One car had stood out in my mind above all the rest. Though a child of the "fast cars age," a long time admiration of Mustangs, I somehow didn't "see" myself owning a "childhood dream." Having already owned a Cougar, although I had loved it as a twenty-something year old right out of undergrad school, I again didn't wish to "revisit" my youth. The car which really captured my attention and imagination was, in my mind, a mixture of--a cross between/combination of--the two. Before making my decision, I just needed to "live with" the idea of it for a little while. Perhaps by next October's dealer-sell-athons, I'd be ready. However, with the new developments, that plan would just have to be bumped up by a year.
Resigned to this change in plans, I began to assess my assets and options:
1) Credit Rating: Check with the reporting bureaus to find out where I stand. For free credit report, go to http://credit-report.org/.
2) Blue Book Value: Just what is the fair market value of my present vehicle? Check with Kelley Blue Book online at http://www.kbb.com/ for free quotes. Also find out more useful information such as New Car Previews; Quotes on financing, insurance, car care warranties, New Car Prices; Whether to buy a new car, a used car, or sell your old car online; Or, even Research a title history on a used car, car care tips, America's all time favorite car, visit manufacturer sites; and more at one convenient site.
3) Down Payment: Would I put an additional amount down with trade-in? How much?
4) Lease or Buy: What would be my advantage in leasing? Or, in buying?
5) Preview My Car: Where could I "have a look at" my choice of cars before visiting dealer? For online reviews, standard options and features, vehicle selection and availability, and more, see AutoWeb.com at http://www.autoweb.com/quotenewlite/default.htm?ucd=aff&uo=20309
6) How Much To Pay: What am I willing to pay for my new car? How much will my budget allow? Can I afford it?
7) Decide Make of Car: If you haven't already, now's the time to decide the manufacturer (if not the exact model, yet) you prefer.
8) Comparison Shop: Compare prices of preferred makes and dealerships. Get assistance in both areas (in addition to #5, above) at AutoWeb.com http://www.autoweb.com/quotenewlite/default.htm?ucd=aff&uo=20309
9) Select Dealership: Is it located conveniently to me? Are their sales force, credit manager people I can work with? Their prices fair and their break-down easily understood?
THE PLUNGE:
Having collected all extenuating information, decided my preferred make and model, even down to the three colors I favored (and getting my son's confirmation on all three), it was time to visit the dealer showroom and put the finalization process in motion. I chose the location nearest our home for two reason: 1) its convenience; 2) my oldest son's girlfriend had had prior satisfactory dealings with them.
After picking up my son on Wednesday afternoon (5 days after my decision to buy), we stopped in. We were warmly greeted by the receptionist, who immediately got us a salesperson in the form of one Mrs. LaVerda Feagans. She, too, warmly greeted BJ and me, introducing herself. Leading us to her office, she inquired about models that might interest us, explaining what was on hand at that location and what she could have delivered from another nearby location.
Within five minutes of entering her office, I had learned that there were several of my preferred model on the lot and that two of our preferred colors were ready to take delivery of that evening. LaVerda, took a quick history on me, then consulted with Misty, the credit manager, presenting me a firm, fair price for the model, options and packages I preferred in less than half an hour. Finding me a coat (it had gotten cold out during our short visit), she brightly offered, "Let's go take a ride and see how it handles."
Before test driving, LaVerda gave a thorough run through of the car: body, under-the-hood, interior, framework, tires. She pointed out its durability features; safety features; awards last year's (2000) make and model had received--since this was a 2001 model; warranties; insurance breaks and discounts; and much more. She demonstrated the integrity of important feature claims (where possible, like the scuff-resistant, crush resistant feature of panels, doors, bumpers and fenders); the functions and operations of theft deterrent systems, doors, and backseat/trunk access; ease of motor mounting/remounting features; wrapped battery for protection from the elements (seasonally appropriate); remote key/lock and alarm set/disarm; etc.
The test drive covered an area of between 1.5 and 2 miles with differing degrees of traffic congest, traffic signals, road/street conditions (so car's handling/engine performance could be compared/tested under different and variable driving conditions). After returning to the dealership, I'd changed my mind about only one thing. My son agreed, we should get the red instead of the blue, considering our old car was a very similar shade of blue.
THE CONCLUSION or Make Up Your Mind, Why Don't Ya!
It was exactly what I (we) wanted. Down to the color, even! However, I have only one problem. Any purchase over $200 is difficult for me to make without thinking about it, overnight, at least. That's just one of my own personal peculiarities. So, after returning to the warmth of the showroom (by the way, they have a model cut into half in the showroom so the purchaser might have a "closer" view to the inner workings/make up of the vehicle), I thanked LaVerda for her courteous, no hassle attention. Then, informed her I was not ready to "sign on the dotted line" just yet. I just needed to "sleep" on it, if she didn't mind. "No problem," she assured me. "Just call me tomorrow to let me know what you decide."
I couldn't believe there'd be no salesperson pressure!!! Silently wondering at this miracle of miracles, I almost went defensive when I heard, "However, since we have only one each of the model in the colors you prefer, I would suggest you call early, put a $100 deposit on it, or be willing to take what's available when you're ready. You could also wait until I could locate a replacement from another dealer, in the event yours is sold." All this with a pleasant expression on her face and -- a still open -- smile. I opted for the $100 deposit in the form of a check that LaVerda explained would not be deposited, just held until I returned.
BJ and I left feeling un-harried less than two hours after we'd arrived. That evening I talked with my best friend. Next morning I talked to my company financial/payroll officer. Each felt the dealership made me one of the best offers they'd each ever heard of before. I had to agree by mid-morning that the price I was offered was over $1200 less than the estimated MSRP (Manufacturer's suggested retail price) I'd calculated earlier at two different online auto buying service sites*.
LaVerda phoned me to ask if she could answer any more questions I might have. She suggested I could go to their website if I needed any further comparative information or additional technical references before making my decision. I told her I had one more call to make, then I'd phone her back. My final call was to my insurance agent. I found out they could change over my auto policy, give me the same full coverage and it would increase my present premiums by less than one-third. It seems my choice (including theft, warranty and safety options) had been a wise one. Furthermore, I would be covered from the moment I drove off the lot (though I would have to visit my agent on Monday to finalize paperwork).
Two days later, Friday, November 10, I returned to the dealership, where LaVerda had my paperwork ready, my car washed and clean, and my un-deposited check waiting for me. An hour and fifteen minutes later, I drove my new purchase off the lot and parked it in my drive within another fifteen minutes--at the height of rush hour on a Friday evening.
Hope your car buying process goes as well. In any event, it shouldn't turn out to be a nightmare, if you utilize the references listed below. Thanks for reading. Happy buying. Safe motoring.
For reference and/or assistance in making an intelligent purchase decision on your next car:
*AutoWeb.com
http://www.autoweb.com/quotenewlite/default.htm?ucd=aff&uo=20309
*CarSmart.com
http://www.carsmart.com/
For Free Credit Report
http://credit-report.org/
Kelley Blue Book
http://www.kbb.com/
Woman Motorist New Car Buying Guide
http://www.womanmotorist.com/
**(Wish I'd remembered this reference at the time of my purchase. Great checklist of dos and don'ts here, no matter if the purchaser is male or female)
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